Information and Communication Technologies as Catalyst for the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals at the Local Level in Africa

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This study evaluates if information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play a role of catalyst for the achievement of most of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local level in African countries. We use the Afrobarometer Round 7 Surveys, and base our empirical methodology on 2SLS-IV regressions to take into account the concern of reverse causality. The findings reveal that ICTs have a positive and significant effect on the achievement of SDGs, notably, in eight out of thirteen goals (Goal 1 ‘No poverty,’ Goal 2 ‘Zero Hunger,’ Goal 6 ‘Clean water and sanitation,’ Goal 8 ‘Decent work and economic growth,’ Goal 11 ‘Sustainable cities and communities,’ Goal 5 ‘Gender equality,’ Goal 7 ‘Affordable and clean energy,’ Goal 9 ‘Industry, innovation and infrastructure’). The results suggest that ICTs can help to accelerate progress towards SDGs in Africa.